Percy's POV

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Is this right?

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I left.

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I know what happens when I stay. It's never good. So I leave.

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Again... And again... And again... And again... And it hurts. Every. Damn. Time.

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The one time I decided to stay... The one time I gave in... The one time I thought it was okay... He ended up dead. And the other one stabbed me in the back.

So, I'm leaving again. Not because it's easy, but because it's the hardest choice I've ever made. My heart yearns for my family...

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There is such sadness in leaving a place of strong love, a place where fond memories grow as fast as the clover in the grass. I know I will savor each memory so strongly that it will almost live once more. I know that the strands of love will keep us together even when we are far apart. I only have to reach out with my mind and there you are, waiting to shower me with the love you always did. But right now it is my time to depart, to do what I was born to do, to make the changes and the sacrifices that are necessary. Don't think that me leaving means I love you less, know that it means I love you more.

I wish I said that...

Hindsight really is twenty twenty.

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This isn't forever. Just for a little while. Just until I get my head on straight.

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No, that's not it. My head is fine. I just need a break... I just need to rest.

These legs keep asking me to rest, to find somewhere warm and cozy, to simply enjoy the sunshine and stay right there. This brain feels as if it's been on a treadmill and it wants so much to press stop, to just shut down for awhile. This body needs to feel relaxed, to feel warm, to feel safe, to feel the the lack of ache that comes with movement. Everything about me, from the muscular aches to the emotional pull toward lethargy, this fatigue, overwhelms - yet this is a world that has no empathy for such matters. All that appears to count is wat else can one do, how far can one push themselves before they break? If I can manage to show I am not broken, I am a hero, if not, no matter how much work I did, clearly I did not do enough. My body, my brain, my tired tired soul, can testify that I've worked at full tilt for so very very long. The truth is, in this state, in terms of my biological capacity and energy stores, I can't afford to care about all the things I have been caring so very deeply about. It isn't kind to run a horse into the ground and it isn't kind to do it to a demigod either.

I need a break. I need to rest. It's been years and it continues to stack. I need this.

I haven't felt like myself for awhile. My nightmares strangle me, my body cries for me to stop, my mind drowns me, my soul is torn.

Yet, all anyone cares about: is wanting more.

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I'm thirteen...

Yet, all anyone cares about is wanting more. For me to do more, fight more, lead more, overpower more... I can't.

Not when the strain of my past slowly suffocates me.

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I lost one brother and buried another. We had each other. That was it. To them it was us against the world... It was us three. I cried in silence the moment I had buried my brother in an unmarked grave. In a place that the three of us shared. A place so full of fun and stupidity I'm scared to go back. Though I should... A place special for three boys and their love for adventure. What will he think of me now? What about the other one?

I lost sisters and was too slow to save another. I was too slow each time. Each. Damn. Time... I was never enough to successfully bring them back home. Never enough. My last glimpse of her was a soaking corpse held by a dear friend. Every single last glimpse left me with something to hold onto. Regret. Regret that it had to end that way. Regret that it was my fault to begin with.. Yet, I'll move on like I always have. Not forget... But, move on. Because they wouldn't want me to live with the regret. So, I'll honor them that way.

I fall asleep and drown in my nightmares as they haunt me nightly. I can never rest properly. I'm just so so tired. My brain is on five percent battery, so if nobody doesn't mind, though I'm sure they do, I'm gonna take some time to rest and soak in the calm peace of nature. This stuff, this caring, is vast yet finite, freely given yet at a cost to me... and I'm tired... so very, very, tired.

I fight and fight. My body takes it in stride, but yearns for rest. This fight has been a choreographed dance of destruction for so long, tearing me where I need to heal. The time has come for some new moves. The time as come to stop fighting instead of an charging in aching. It's time to let me say the truths that have tortured me so that a new and better future can emerge.

Everything apart of me yearns for rest. My soul, my mind, my body, my heart, everything. I just need a break.

I'm only thirteen...

This need to rest has been growing in my bones, and the muscles that always wanted to run are asking so very powerfully not to. Cause they are scared for the moment I do. There is a weary feeling that cannot be politely assuaged or that will simply evaporate with the rise of sun next morn. It is long overdue. I'm just gonna take a break for a little while.

Everyone needs a break once in awhile. So I'll take my chance right now.

Because whatever the future has in stored for me isn't over. Not by a long shot. So I'm going to prepare by taking what I need. And by the gods do I need this.

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In order to be the hero everyone needs me to be, I will push past all of that and emerge on the other side better than I am now. Rested and cared for. Even a god needs to rest. For what can a hero do, if he cannot take care of himself too? For when the time comes, I will no longer need to rest, for I already have. Even a god needs to rest... and I'm no god.

I will be strong enough to take the burden off of anyone else. Though I may suffer a terrible fate, I will not let anyone else suffer the same...

I just need a small break. Away from everything. And everyone.

Don't get me wrong, I love them all dearly. My sisters, friends, brother, father, mothers, all of them... But, one look and I'll run head first into whatever hell that finds them. Just a break... A small little one is all I want, is all I need.

Third Person POV:

No one knew how to react. No one expected for Percy to blow up like that and leave them all wondering what in gods' name has his life been like? They thought he had it good. Why wouldn't they? He was always smiling and helping with the few chances he had while he was here. He helped because he chose to, not because he was inclined to do so.

Now hearing how tragic his life was, if only a part of it, makes them wonder what else? Minutes past and no one did a thing. Percy was thankful for that.

"I'm sorry." Thalia finally managed to say. "I didn't know." She continued long after Percy was gone.

"No one did." Chiron spoke up. Him not knowing something didn't sit well with the campers.

"What now?" Annabeth asked, distraught to see her friend gone once again.

"I'm going to head to inform the council of this immediately. I cannot leave him to deal with this alone. Not this time." A bunch of campers got a lot of happy expressions on their faces. They were not going to leave one of their own behind. Not this time. "I'll inform you of what to do when I have returned. Until then you are dismissed to your regular activities." Chiron glanced around and thought he better be quick. Who knows what a bunch of kids with ADHD would do?

Chiron trotted out of camp leaving the campers to sit and wallow for a little while. Only until they couldn't sit any longer. Slowly they got up and made their way out. Listening to Chiron.

"Did you know?" Thalia asked walking side by side with Annabeth.

"I wish I did. But, he's good at keeping secrets." Annabeth replied reminiscing their first quests. Nothing about him made all that much sense. He was sarcastic, sure. Defiant? Definitely. Everything about him lead her to believe one thing then he would completely obliterate that idea. He saved them then would laugh. Almost die then defy expectations. Argue with a god and end up with an ally or an enemy.

"Has he ever done this before?" She asked.

"I think only once before... On our first quest he called Grover and I out, saying we are a lot more than who we see we are. He rarely mentioned anything about himself."

"Did you ask?"

"Of course I did. Yet, each time he had a good excuse. Maybe I wasn't asking the right questions... *Sigh* With a threat looming over us we really need to find Percy. He seems to know a lot more than we gave him credit for. I want to see my friend again. Alive." Thalia flinched slightly at Annabeth's tone. She may have just screwed up any chance she had at being friends with him.

Olympus:

To say that Chiron was anxious was beyond an understatement. He should have known that Percy wasn't as well as he seemed to be. It's his job to know these things. As a teacher, he must know this because it may very well be the death of his students. So why did he miss this?

"Why have you called us Chiron? This better be important." The King of the gods spat. This snapped Chiron out of his stupor and he respectfully bowed.

"Of course my lord. Something has come up at camp and I believe that this matter must be taken care of." Chiron must tread carefully.

"Well go on, spit it out already." The ever so impatient Apollo told the old centaur.

"...Percy has-"

"Ugh! Again with this kid? How many times is he gonna come up?" Apollo exasperated sinking further down his throne, resting his face on his closed fist.

"I'd watch your tone Apollo." Poseidon stated.

"Hey, all I'm saying is that your kid gets around quite a bit." Apollo rose his arms in a mock surrender.

"Oh please, you're just upset that someone finally upstaged you in the gossip arena." Aphrodite quipped before going back to filing her nails.

"Oh and you're not?" Apollo huffed.

"I have no reason to be. I live to share gossip." Aphrodite smirked.

"Quit your petty squabbling. Chiron clearly has something important to say." Hera quickly cut in. Something she has been doing more of. And something that no one can really understand why. Except for Athena and Hestia.

"Yes, of course. Percy has left and we have no idea where or when he's going to be back. It also seems that he's been dealing with a lot more than just monsters. I'm afraid he might do something drastic if we don't find him." Chiron loaded off swiftly because he didn't believe he could do it slowly.

"What do you mean?" Poseidon asked leaning forward in his seat.

"Who cares? He's just another brat with no respect. He deserves this." Ares huffed.

"No one deserves half of what my boy is going through right now. You should watch your mouth before I decided to do something drastic." Poseidon threatened, "If you would please continue."

"Percy has been plagued with an abnormal amount of nightmares and carries a burden far heavier than anyone else. Or so he believes. I can't really be sure at the moment because of how well he kept it hidden... There was also an incident last night. Percy, while still asleep, caused a minor earthquake around his cabin." Chiron sighed. How did it come to this?

"While he slept?!" Athena burst. Poseidon on the other hand didn't seem quite as fazed by this. "That does seem to cause a need for concern." She voiced her opinion. "What have you been done to further any damage or danger of lives?"

"Nothing. It was he who came to lunch and announced he has no more need to sleep in the cabin. He did it out of his own volition." Chiron commented, then he continued, "Percy considers himself a risk and thinks that by leaving he's keeping us safe." The council sat silent for a moment, letting the words sink.

"He just might be." None other than Poseidon, the boy's father, spoke up. His body slacked in his chair, it wasn't a pleasant thought to have. He didn't want to say or believe it but, if what Triton told him was true then there is no other choice but to believe it. He wishes that there was something he could've done.

"Y-yo-you would say that about your own son? Why- How could you say such a thing?"

"I don't want to... It's just that even when Percy was staying at my palace there was almost off about him... Almost as if sleep was constantly avoiding him or he would get this far off look. Like he wasn't completely there. Not to mention the increasingly more bold monsters getting closer... At least that's what Triton and Amphitrite have told me... *Sigh* This just may be what the boy needs right now. So please, for the time being just leave my son alone. He's been through too much. Too much for a boy his age." Poseidon had a tough time speaking. According to Triton, there were times Percy woke up screaming. Or found him so deep in thought Percy wouldn't realize it until he was smacked upside the head.

"What do you mean "too much"? He's a demigod, hardships are common and there isn't much we can do about it." Ares scoffed.

"Unless any of your children bare a punishment fitting a god, then I would keep your mouth shut. Since I broke my oath, Percy is the one having to deal with whatever the Fates throw at him. And he's been doing it alone. While also caring deeply for the states and wellbeing of other's over himself. Or have you not noticed him keeping tabs on everyone? Even that daughter of yours... Just leave my boy be for now. I won't ask again." Poseidon ordered before vanishing in a thin sea mist leaving the rest of the occupants to dwell on his words. Even the loud mouthed lightning thrower kept his mouth shut.

Percy's POV: Mid November-ish

I should've known that I wouldn't get the rest that I so desperately crave for. Or not as much as I would have liked. Not when I'm a literal walking monster magnet with a price on my head the size of Texas. Granted I have been sleeping better. And at least monsters still have a tough time convincing themselves that I am purely of the sea. It's a massive relief being reminded that my aura or whatever still has a deep rooted connection to nature.

It's strange to see the sight before me. Here stands I, facing monsters that have been long forgotten. From the looks of it, it hasn't been long enough. The cerastes is a serpent that is incredibly flexible—so much so that it is said to have no spine. Cerastae can have either two large ram-like horns or four pairs of smaller horns. The cerastes hides its head in the sand with only the horns protruding out of the surface; this is meant to deceive other animals into thinking it is food. When the animal approaches the cerastes, it promptly kills it. And they are teen feet long each. I should've known this was a trap the moment I saw them. Now I have to deal with three monster snakes that can wrap around Riptide without so much as getting a mark on them. That's how flexible they are. I'll need figure out a way to deal with them, later. I can however deal with the other's much quicker.

But, that's not all. No no no, there is also Empousa lurking around me. About seven in total. And last, but certainly not least a Odontotyrannos. Which is a three horned beast. It has a black, horse-like head, with three horns protruding from its forehead, and exceeded the size of an elephant. It is said to be undeterred by the sight of fire but, that doesn't really matter to me now, does it?

I should deal with him first. Easier said than done. The Empousa have decided to surround me and the twirly bastards are lurking just beyond the tree line waiting till I let my guard down. Oh this is just great. Let's not forget that the horny horse head beast is built like a tank and is currently staring me down waiting to eviscerate me.

Oh the joys of being a wanted man. Boy. Child! This is just stupid! I can't catch a damned break anywhere! This is what happens when some powerful deity with a scythe shoved so far up his nether regions doesn't like you. And why? I haven't the feintest idea... Except for maybe being a giant pain to him. And somehow slowing down his resurrection... Yeah that might be it. I feel honored that someone has such a high opinion of me.

I dashed towards the oversized fleabag before the snake ladies could even have a chance to budge. It was a miracle I even got close enough to use the snout as a springboard and avoid the horns all together. In the air I was vulnerable... Not really, but that's what I had them think. They shot their volley and I expertly twisted and turned my body to avoid most of the damage. I can deal with a couple scrapes. Though my shoulder has never felt anymore tense than now.

The spot where Artemis no doubt hit me, has slowly healed. It left a pretty nasty scar and still doesn't feel like it used to. I don't think it ever will.

I landed on the back of the gigantic beast who started thrashing around like a bucking bronco. With Riptide already in hand I drove it hilt deep into it's back in order to stay on. It should have done something yet it only irritated the beast all the more. It probably felt like a bee sting. Not enough to kill just a heavy irritation and sense of loathing.

I felt the sail of arrows whistle past my ears. Fun. I guess they don't care about this horned up rhino on steroids.

I held on dearly and didn't dare let go. I gave it my all and finally ole beastly decided to try something new. He fell onto his side and tried to flatten me into his back by rolling over. Yea, not gonna happen. I leaped off towards the closest empuosa and drove Riptide down her face. Instantly turning her into dust.

I grabbed her bow and arrows and nocked two of them at once quickly aiming at two unsuspecting empousa. The two arrows sailed gracefully finding themselves impaled in the faces of fanged monsters. Without giving them a chance to read me, I dropped my ranged weapons and brought out Riptide while manifesting an ice sword.

Instead of charging at the weaker of enemies I faced the freaked out elephant that slowly managed to get back onto it's hooves. Charging before it could fully stand, I slashed it's neck with both my swords. It didn't kill it but, it fell back down as blood dripped down from it's neck. That thing had a very thick hide. However, that cut left an opening. O dodged a few more arrows and slid towards the exposed neck of the enormous beast. I gripped Riptide with both my hands and drove the sword hilt deep through the exposed hole and stabbed the neck bone. With one final tug, I drove Riptide through the bone and separated it cleanly from the head. The blood quickly drained and rained down on me drenching me in a blanket of red.

I bet I looked insane. The sick smile on my face, showing off the only clean part of my body. My pearly whites gleamed in the fading light. I was only smiling because I thought that this would take much longer. Still, I felt like a maniac. The dust dissolved into the light wind leaving me alone standing in the center of it all. They didn't dare attack... For some reason.

The eerie silence that has befallen was a strange one. No one moved or fought.

Until I Bent my knees and swiveled, charging towards the closest of the empousa. I stabbed her in the gut and reached for her bow stealing three arrows and quick succession launched them at the stunned monsters. Now all I had to deal with was the the impossible.

Well the impossible for anyone else. For I had a way to fight monsters of such flexibility. I mean, I just now figured it out.

I stalked towards the edge of the tree, limping, and heavy breathing. I could here the soft rustle and crunch of leaves. They were growing impatient. I was growing impatient. I collapsed onto my knees right next to the edge. This was what they waited for... as did I.

They took the moment of weakness and charged out of the trees, fangs at the ready. I smirked and grabbed two of the three's heads before they could reach me and forcibly drew out the powers of Khione. The third flew right past my slicing my ribs. Their bodies went rigid and which gave me the chance to drive my sword into their skulls sending them back to the pits of hell.

I through out my other hand sending and ice shard sailing through the sky just a the other twisted and turned in midair to get back to me. It stood no chance. The shard pierced it's scaly skin just below it's head. Squealing and squirming I jumped above it and sliced it's body in half.

That was the last of them.

Now I just need to figure out what in the hell were they gathering for. Whatever it was, they were heading east. That's where I'll find whatever I'm looking for.

I've got to say, even though I didn't get the amount of rest I wanted, I sure as hell am starting to feel like my old self again. It's been liberating dare I say.